Chapter 8: Come Out

With the stone removed, Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven and prayed aloud. He was not performing for the crowd. He said so himself. The Father always heard Him. The prayer spoken out loud was for the people standing there, so that when what came next happened, they would know exactly where it came from.

JESUS“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”— John 11:41-42

Then He turned toward the tomb and cried out with a loud voice.

JESUS“Lazarus, come out!”— John 11:43

And Lazarus came out.

He was still wrapped in his grave cloths, hands and feet bound in linen strips, his face covered with a cloth. He was alive and standing at the mouth of the tomb, but he could not move freely.

Jesus did not unwrap him himself. He turned to the people standing there and gave them something to do.

JESUS“Loose him, and let him go.”— John 11:44

The miracle required one voice. But the restoration of Lazarus back into his life, his family, and his community required the hands of the people around him. The same crowd that had stood there weeping now stepped forward and began removing the grave cloths.